Are third party magnifiers any good?

[Epimetheus]

I'm thinking of getting a 1.25x magnifier because I use mostly fast 50mm lenses. There seems to be a lot cheaper alternatives to Leica but are they any good? Like this one or this 1.15x.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

That's the one I am using - no problems with it.

Cheers,
Uwe

 

[sleepyhead]

I use an MS Optical 1.35x magnifier with my Leica m4-P (bought from Japan Exposures) when I shoot with the 75mm Summilux. It's fine, and the built-in diopter correction is very nice.

 

[baycrest]

I've got the Leica 1.25x and the Japan Exposures 1.15x.
For normal FL like 28 35 50, I prefer the JE 1.15x, but for longer FL the 1.25 or higher, if I owned one.

The JE has a built in diopter adjuster - 3.0 to +3.0 (I think, I'm only -1 so, I don't know how well the other settings work)

Only the Leica is rubberized on the rim of the eyepiece, which is useful if to prevent scratching your eye glasses, presumably you take off your eyeglasses on the JE since it has a built-in Diopter adjuster.

 

[thinkfloyd]

A bit OT, but which magnifier should one use to get a 1:1 view with the M8?

 

[Epimetheus]

I think I get one of those Japan Exposure 1.15x for M9 (if I even get the camera).

 

[hlockwood]

I'm thinking of getting a 1.25x magnifier because I use mostly fast 50mm lenses. There seems to be a lot cheaper alternatives to Leica but are they any good? Like this one or this 1.15x.

I have the Leica 1.25x for use with my M7/0.85. Unfortunately, having to wear glasses, I find is relatively useless. I have to hunt for the 50 mm frame lines as well as the meter reading. And a diopter (variable or not) doesn't solve the problem if astigmatism is present.

I'll probably put it up for sale in the classifieds, LNIB.

Harry

 

[thinkfloyd]

@JSU: Ahhh thanks! The widest i intend to go is 35mm, so I guess this is fine? (Though one day I might get a 15mm, and no matter what, I know one would need an external viewfinder for it anyway...)